International environmental cooperation - through the EU and regional and global organisations
International environmental cooperation is growing in scope and importance. As a result of the realisation that many environmental problems can only be solved through cooperation between countries, environmental policy has become increasingly international. International cooperation is a cornerstone of Swedish environmental policy.
Sweden plays an active role in international cooperation for sustainable development and the environment and has acceded to a large number of regional and global conventions, protocols and other agreements to protect the environment. Sweden participates in a range of cooperation in the EU, in its neighbourhood, globally and together with individual countries. Living up to commitments of international importance and participating actively in international agreements is an important part of Swedish environmental policy and involves a great deal of work. In particular, Sweden intends to reinforce its international cooperation for environment and sustainable development for the following reasons:
- Good Swedish environmental quality: Cooperation between countries, at regional and global level, can help to achieve several Swedish environmental quality objectives.
- Global and regional environmental protection: Sweden has a responsibility for how its own production and consumption patterns affect the state of the environment, both in other countries and globally, and for a fair distribution of the global environmental space.
- Better conditions for the poorest: Sweden has a responsibility to contribute to a better environment for the very poorest people in the world.
Cooperation with the EU
Environment policy in the EU is of major importance both for Sweden's environment and for action taken by Sweden in international contexts. Environmental cooperation with the EU has two main purposes: to contribute to realising Swedish environmental quality objectives and to contribute to a good European environment. Together with the other EU countries, Sweden is pressing global and regional environmental work forward; this gives Sweden considerable opportunities to raise Swedish priorities at global level. The climate issue, in particular, is an example of this.
Regional cooperation
Over and above the EU, Sweden takes part in other environmental cooperation in its neighbourhood, namely in the Nordic region, the Barents region, the Baltic Sea region and the Arctic as well as with the countries of Eastern and Central Europe. The purposes and forms of this cooperation vary. For example, cooperation in the Barents region focuses on the High North while cooperation in the Baltic Sea region focuses on sustainable development (Baltic 21) and on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea (Helsinki Commission, HELCOM). Common interests, similar environmental conditions and a similar view in most environmental issues among the Nordic countries, for instance, is an important basis for acting in concert in international negotiations and gaining greater influence in that way.
Sweden also takes part in cooperation in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).
Global environmental work
Sweden works actively on environmental issues at global level, in the UN and OECD, for example. Ecologically sustainable development can only be achieved through global cooperation. Sustainable production and consumption must be given more attention in our part of the world. At the same time, the poorest people must be given support for a better quality of life and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Since Sweden took the initiative for the first UN conference on the environment in 1972 we have had a leading role in UNEP, the United Nations Environment Programme. Sweden also takes an active part in work on conventions to protect the environment. These conventions are sets of binding rules intended to prevent climate change, protect biological diversity and prohibit the use of dangerous chemicals, for example.
Cooperation with individual countries
Bilateral cooperation (i.e. cooperation with individual countries) plays an important role in international environmental cooperation. Sweden has ever closer contacts with like-minded countries so as to build alliances in international environmental work. Bilateral contacts are also intended to influence countries that do not share Sweden's views so as to try to find common solutions. These contacts take place at various levels, ranging from ministerial visits to expert contacts. It is particularly important to have a dialogue with key countries such as China, India and Russia.
